Are You Earning Enough to Qualify for Residence?
INZ’s latest median wage requirements will take effect on Monday, 9 March 2026. Some work visas & residence categories require applicants to earn above a specified income threshold.
What exactly is a wage threshold?
There has been considerable confusion surrounding 'wage thresholds,' which is understandable given its complexity. In a nutshell, a wage threshold is the minimum hourly pay rate required for applicants to qualify for a specific visa.
The wage threshold is tied to New Zealand's median wage, which is the country's average pay rate. The median wage typically increases each year.
Do all visas require me to be paid a specific wage threshold?
No. Not all visas require you to meet a specific wage threshold.
Some visas require you to meet a wage threshold for your specific occupation.
For example: if you're an Auditor and wish to apply for residence under the Green List, you will need to receive a minimum hourly pay rate of $45.50 per hour to meet the wage threshold.
You can, however, be paid less than $45.50 per hour to be granted an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Other visas do not have a specific wage threshold; instead, applicants must be paid the NZ market rate to be granted an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
I want to apply for my Residence Visa in the near future. How do the upcoming changes to the Wage Threshold affect my application?
Keep in mind that to qualify for a Residence Visa under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Green List Tier 1 & 2, you will need to be earning the median wage or higher, or the specified rate if your occupation is on the Green List.
New Zealand's median wage is increasing from $33.56 to $35 per hour.
This is a notable change for work visa holders planning to apply for their Residence Visa starting 09 March 2026.
If you’re currently busy applying for a work visa and due to arrive in NZ after 9 March, you need to make sure that you will be earning $35 per hour to “accumulate” work experience in NZ towards residence.
Too often, we come across applicants who were granted a visa based on a specified wage rate, only to find out later that their NZ work experience doesn’t count because they hadn't been earning enough.
If you are unsure whether your current job meets the median wage requirements under the SMC, Green List Tier 1 & 2, contact us today to find out.
